Picture this, April 25, 2020 your wedding day. Location: Long Boat Key Florida Time: 4 pm. Weather : Sunny and 80
Saying "I DO" on a yacht on the Gulf Coast with friends and family from all around the country. A wedding dream come true.....
Oh wait, I mean.... picture this, 45 degrees, partly cloudy with a slight breeze, massive glaciated mountains peaking out of the clouds on a bridge on the outskirts of Glacier National Park surrounded by 6 of your best friends minus the officiant and about 100 other very important guests ......all standing 6 feet apart and certainly not hugging (thanks Covid-19). Not as planned but unquestionably spectacular, unforgettable and magical.
Polebridge Montana, population 168, quite possibly fewer people than were invited to the Florida Destination wedding, is where the day began. Peter and Jonathan arrived first. We waited for the arrival of Jess and Meghann, the officiant. Jess arrived solo and informed us that Meghann was not going to make it, an unimaginable situation arose with her dog and she was not able to attend. It turns out you do not need to be ordained in the state of Montana and a new officiant was named, Jonathan.
First things first, Peter had not yet seen his beautiful Bride-to-be, so we prepared for the first look in front of the Polebridge Mercantile, the historic landmark of this tiny speck on a map town. Straight out of a scene from an old western movie, a dirt road, one general store, massive mountains in the distance. The two of them, turn to look at each other in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Afterwards, we ventured into the nearby field and created magic! Take a look:
Six of their best friends were scheduled to meet us at noon at Camas Bridge. We were running a little behind and arrived closer to 12:20, thankfully, because the crew had planned to leave at 12:30 if we hadn't arrived! Everyone was so excited to see Jess and Peter and to be able to be a part of the celebration.
As we were preparing to start the ceremony, Jess said to me, "should we do the ceremony on the bridge?" "What do you think?"
I replied, "what was your vision?"
A friend piped in "her vision was palm trees and sand!" With that, we headed for the bridge.
Next step - making it official!
I have photographed a lot of weddings. My favorite part is the vows. The vows let you peak through a little window into the hearts of the couple. You learn what they love, cherish and find so unique about the other person that they want to commit and spend their lives together. Jess and Peters vows were one for the wedding book records. Love and respect- understatement. These two get it. These two have it. These two will be the two that will celebrate their 50th anniversary and still be in love. Their vows say it all,
Meghann wrote this for the ceremony but was unable to deliver it in person.....
Dear Friends,
We’re gathered here because the world has decided that this is the exact moment and the exact place where the two of you should exchange your vows. Camas Bridge holds magic for both of you. The mountains in this valley have witnessed some of the greatest moments of your lives and now they will witness one more- your marriage to your best friend.
A successful marriage is not just being the right person, it's being the right partner. Your love is honest. You encourage each other, challenge each other and learn from one another. Over the last five years you have made a home, explored careers, traveled the world, mourned loss while celebrating life. As we stand here by the river you love so dearly, I would like to leave you with some advice from a river:
Go with the flow.
Slow down and meander.
Be mindful of those around you.
Go around obstacles.
Immerse yourself in nature.
Stay current.
Hold on when the water gets rough.
The beauty is in the journey.
When you know, you know. I love you guys.
JESS:
Peter, I choose you. You are my one and only.
There are truly no words to express to you how much you mean to me. In the cacophony of reality, you hear the music of life. When I’m moving too fast or searching too far ahead, you grab my hand and gently slow me down so that I can embrace the beauty of each moment. From sunsets in Vietnam to mountaintops of Peru, my greatest joy in all those moments is and always will be that I get to share them with you. You are kind and you are sincere. You are patient and you are constant.
Peter, I promise to love you. I promise to honor you both as an individual and as a partner.
I promise to go skiing and fishing and camping with you. I promise to travel with you.
I promise to always speak to you with kindness.
I choose you. You are my one and only
PETER
Jess, I choose you. You are my one and only.
It turns out, you can find a Queen at the Palace (bar where we met). I was drawn to your feisty energy. Early on, our common interests in travel, the outdoors, food and drink helped to establish a strong love and bond. With you, I have never been happier. Five years later, I am still impressed by the new challenges you take on at work, at home and with new hobbies like gardening, baking and new languages. You challenge me to be my best self while never trying to change the person I am. I cherish that about you. I feel I've found my soulmate and life partner and I am excited to grow in life and in love with you by my side.
Jess, I promise to love you. I promise to honor you, both as an individual and as a partner.
I promise to go skiing and fishing and camping with you. I promise to travel with you.
I promise to always speak to you with kindness.
I choose you. You are my one and only.
After their vows, Jonathan sealed the deal with rings and a kiss! And on this day April 25, 2020 at 12:45 pm on Camas Bridge on the boundary of Glacier National Park Jessica Smith and Peter O'Hearne were married.
After they had their first kiss as Mr and Mrs. O'Hearne, they shared their first dance right there in the middle of nowhere Montana on Camas Bridge, dancing under the BIG SKY and over the North Fork of the Flathead River, with friends and dogs dancing and barking in celebration. Not quite a Yacht in the Atlantic....
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